By JEN BAYLON

Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the quota memorandum issued by the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) which ordered traffic enforcers to carry “at least five apprehensions a day” is “not applicable” and “not legal.”

Benitez said the memorandum could lead to abuse, forcing traffic enforcers to unnecessarily carry out their duties.

The mayor ordered BTAO to withdraw or nullify the memorandum as he did not approve it, Benitez’s spokesperson Caesar Distrito said in a statement.

He added that the quota system will not be the basis for the apprehension of violators.

The quota memorandum, issued by BTAO deputy head Jose Antonio Robello, and officer-in-charge Patrick Lacson on April 3, required traffic officers to conduct at least five apprehensions for traffic violations each.

They will be subjected to disciplinary sanctions if the requirements are not met.

It stated that officers who refuse to carry out the order will face suspension or termination.

Benitez expressed dismay over the controversies surrounding BTAO, emphasizing that such issues should not have occurred in the first place.

He also brought up the ongoing investigation into Lacson’s alleged misuse of a vehicle under the MABB Cab system.

According to Benitez, the MABB Cab system will record the trips made by city hall employees and check if their service vehicles can be used for official purposes.

“Bringing [it] home and ginkakas pa ang stickers is really something may ginapaminsar kita nga not good,” Benitez said.

Meanwhile, Lacson said he immediately complied with Benitez’s directive to nullify the memorandum.

Lacson admitted that he did not consult the mayor and the City Legal Office before issuing the order.

“The intention of issuing such a memo was for our enforcers to do their jobs and not be passive,” Lacson said.

“I wish to make a similar memo … and will have it approved first by the mayor and [the City Legal Office] as to be technically safe,” he added./JB, WDJ